News

Alaska Air National Guard rescues four distressed hikers at Crow Pass
July 21, 2020 — The Alaska Air National Guard rescued four distressed hikers from Crow Pass Trail, which runs between Girdwood and the Eagle River Nature Center, July 20.The hikers had reached approximately the halfway point and were substantially low on food. They didn’t have enough for the journey back or to continue forward. Additionally, one of the hikers was... MORE

Local church leaders hold online meeting to pray for healing racial division
July 16, 2020 — A coalition of more than 60 church leaders, state representatives, chaplains, and other Alaska citizens gathered together this morning via a Zoom video conference to pray for the state of Alaska and for racial reconciliation in light of the recent racial tension across the nation. The Alaska National Guard’s State Command Chaplain Col. Richard... MORE

A body of church leaders across Alaska engage in a time of meditation and prayer via a Zoom meeting on July 16, 2020. The attendees of the video conference prayed for the state of Alaska and for racial reconciliation in light of the recent racial tension across the nation. The Alaska National Guard stood in solidarity with the group, with State Command Chaplain Richard Koch participating. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Seth LaCount/Released)

Alaska Air National Guard’s Civil Engineer Squadron deploys to four countries: 176th CES combats terrorism around the globe
July 9, 2020 — Last December, 45 Alaska Air Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to Kuwait, Niger, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.“What makes this deployment unique is the size of the team that we sent,” said Lt. Col Kass Larson, the commander of the 176th CES. “That’s roughly half of our entire squadron, and it is a particularly... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Fire Protection Specialists assigned to the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron in Niger, Africa during their 2020 deployment. (Alaska National Guard Courtesy Photo)

Alaska National Guard rescues three individuals during two overlapping missions
July 8, 2020 — The Alaska Air National Guard rescued three people on two separate occasions July 7. The first rescue mission involved an aircraft crash 16 miles east of Farewell Lake, and the second was a medevac mission for a woman experiencing life-threatening medical complications in Seward.The first mission was opened around 10 p.m. Tuesday night when a Good... MORE

Military-wide Blended Retirement System offers attractive “Continuation Pay” bonus: Alaska Army National Guard brings awareness to overlooked incentive
July 1, 2020 — There is a little-known incentive for National Guard Soldiers to receive a sizable bonus after their 11th year of service. The 297th Recruiting and Retention Battalion is working to identify those who are eligible and who may not know about it.This issue being brought to light stems from a lack of awareness for an incentive in the newly implemented... MORE

Alaska Army Guardsmen from the 297th Military Police Company visit with friends and family members following a deployment ceremony at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March. 13, 2019. Approximately 80 Alaska Guardsmen from the 297th Military Police Company are deploying to the U.S. Central command area of responsibility in support of Operations Spartan Shield for about nine months. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Balinda O’Neal Dresel)

Alaska Air Guard Security Forces return from Afghanistan deployment
June 23, 2020 — Ten Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Security Forces Squadron returned home from Kandahar, Afghanistan shortly after midnight this morning, at Ted Stevens’ Anchorage International Airport.A total of 12 Air Guardsmen deployed to Kandahar to support Operation Freedom Sentinel, a NATO-led continuation of the Global War on Terrorism... MORE

Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Security Forces Squadron, walk through Ted Stevens-Anchorage International Airport upon returning from an 8-month deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan, June 23, 2020. The unit executed air base defense in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel, NATO-led continuation of the Global War on Terrorism. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead/Released)

Alaska National Guard airlifts “Into the Wild” bus from Stampede Trail
June 18, 2020 — In a coordinated effort with the Department of Natural Resources, 12 Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment accomplished the successful extraction of a 1940s era bus located west of the Teklanika River near Healy June 18, 2020.“After studying the issue closely, weighing many factors and considering a... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment execute an extraction mission via a CH-47 Chinook helicopter over Healy, Alaska, June 18, 2020. As part of a combined effort with the Department of Natural Resources, the Guardsmen rigged and airlifted “Bus 142”,, an historic icon from book and film, “Into the Wild”, out of its location on Stampede Road in light of public safety concerns. The bus will be stored at a secure site while the DNR considers all options and alternatives for its permanent disposition. (Alaska National Guard courtesy photo)

297TH Regional Support Group prepares to be the first National Guard unit to take over base operations in Poland
May 28, 2020 — Alaska Army National Guard 297th Regional Support Group (RSG) completed pre-mobilization training to be the first National Guard unit to take on the mission of base support operations in Poland at Fort Hood, Texas, May 27, 2020. The 120th Infantry Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas, put the Alaskans to the test, seeing how they would react to different... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Sergeant Charles Medlin, 297th Regional Support Group, works with Sergeant 1st. Class Arthur Washington,120th Headquarters, Headquarters company Infantry Battalion, to go over his chaplain assistant duties while in Poland at Fort Hood, Texas, May 25, 2020. Chaplains Assistants are responsible for working with Soldiers in regards to their individual faiths, and making sure their religious needs are met. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by SGT Heidi Kroll)

Refilling the life supply: Alaska National Guard and Blood Bank of Alaska hold blood drive at AKNG armory
May 27, 2020 — More than 30 Alaska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, Alaska State Defense Force Soldiers, and other DMVA personnel volunteered to give blood at the National Guard Armory here yesterday in coordination with the Blood Bank of Alaska.The blood drive was led by Lt. Col. Joseph Gerace, the 49th Brigade, Medical Detachment Commander of the ASDF, under... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Capt. James Tollefson, an operations plans officer with Joint Task Force-Alaska, donates blood at the Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, May 26, 2020. Blood donation centers have been impacted by a lack of donors during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the need for blood, plasma and platelets continue to be critically needed for many medical services. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Seth LaCount/Released)

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